By Rowena T. Cruz Quezon National High School in Lucena City suspended classes on November 13 following a reported bomb threat, with pol...
By Rowena T. Cruz
 |
| Quezon National High School in Lucena City suspended classes on November 13 following a reported bomb threat, with police declaring the campus clear after a security inspection. (QNHS) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon — A reported bomb threat forced the suspension of classes at Quezon National High School (QNHS) on November 13, triggering an emergency police response and a security inspection of the campus. Authorities declared the school clear at 7:59 a.m., but administrators maintained the suspension at all levels to ensure the safety of students and personnel.
The incident renewed security concerns at the public secondary school following a similar bomb scare eight months earlier. A March 5 threat had disrupted examinations and prompted the evacuation of students and school personnel before police cleared the premises.
QNHS Principal IV Joseph C. Hinanay confirmed that the latest threatening message was received at approximately 11:41 p.m. on November 12 through Messenger notifications sent to several school-affiliated Facebook pages. The message warned of an alleged explosion scheduled for the following day, prompting school administrators to activate emergency response protocols.
The notifications reached the QNHS Junior School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (JSDRRM), The Coconut / Ang Niyog, and Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) pages. School administrators immediately coordinated with disaster management personnel and campus security to assess the threat and initiate precautionary measures.
Hinanay identified the name used by the Facebook account that transmitted the message but stressed that its owner's identity had not been verified. The account's restricted profile prevented school authorities from obtaining sufficient information about the person behind the threat.
“The threat indicated that there is an alleged threat of an explosion scheduled on November 13, 2026 (Friday). The information was shared by an account name Erick John Lastamos, whose identity remains unverified due to its locked profile and no information can be found,” Hinanay stated.
Personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) responded at approximately 4 a.m. on November 13 and requested assistance from specialized explosives detection units. The PNP Explosive Ordnance Disposal and K9 Unit arrived around 7 a.m. to inspect the premises and assess the reported threat.
Hinanay outlined the sequence of police operations undertaken following the school's emergency notification. His statement documented the deployment of explosives detection personnel and the official security clearance issued that morning.
“Philippine National Police (PNP) responded immediately at around 4:00 a.m. who notified and called Explosive Ordnance Disposal and the Canine Unit (PNP-EOD/K9) arrived at around 7 a.m. for proper assessment and investigation. At 7:59 a.m. the school is declared clear,” Hinanay stated.
The earlier March 5 incident involved a threatening message sent through a Facebook account impersonating Quezon Second District Board Member Keith Mikhal “Kim” Tan. Tan denied involvement, while authorities pursued efforts to identify the person responsible for sending the message.
The latest incident again disrupted school operations despite the security clearance issued by responding police personnel. Hinanay's official statement did not indicate whether investigators had traced the account or identified a suspect in connection with the November 13 threat.
The recurrence of bomb threats at QNHS highlights the need for effective coordination between educational institutions and law enforcement authorities in responding to potential security emergencies. While the campus has been cleared and the day's classes suspended as a precaution, the identity of the latest sender remains unverified, with no further investigative findings publicly disclosed.
No comments